Dataset Information

The role of four-dimensional computed tomography in transcatheter aortic valve replacement prosthesis endocarditis with concurrent leaflet thrombosis: a case report

ABSTRACT: Abstract

Background

Transcatheter aortic valve replacement (TAVR) is becoming increasingly utilized for the treatment of severe aortic valvular heart disease. Infective endocarditis of TAVR is rare but associated with higher mortality and morbidity. The potential for leaflet thrombosis following TAVR is also becoming increasingly recognized. Diagnosis of these conditions on echocardiography can be challenging due to prosthesis artefact.

Case summary

An 84-year-old man with a previous transcatheter aortic valve replacement presented with a febrile illness and bacteraemia. Transthoracic and transoesophageal echocardiography demonstrated high transvalvular gradients with features of prosthesis endocarditis, though leaflet morphology could not be fully assessed due to prosthesis artefact. Four-dimensional computed tomography revealed hypo-attenuated leaflet thickening with reduced leaflet motion, consistent with prosthesis leaflet thrombosis. The patient was successfully treated with antibiotics and anticoagulation, with resolution of the infection and normalization of the transvalvular gradient after 6 weeks.

Discussion

Echocardiography should be the first-line investigation for assessing leaflet morphology in suspected prosthetic valve endocarditis or leaflet thrombosis but its accuracy may be limited by artefact. Our case highlights that four-dimensional computed tomography provides further evaluation of prosthesis leaflet morphology/motion, providing valuable diagnostic information.

SUBMITTER: Khav N

PROVIDER: S-EPMC7780482 | biostudies-literature | 2020 Sep

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature

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Project description:BackgroundPrevious studies of the cost-effectiveness of transcatheter aortic valve replacement (TAVR) have been based primarily on a single balloon-expandable system.ObjectivesThe goal of this study was to evaluate the cost-effectiveness of TAVR with a self-expanding prosthesis compared with surgical aortic valve replacement (SAVR) for patients with severe aortic stenosis and high surgical risk.MethodsWe performed a formal economic analysis on the basis of individual, patient-level data from the CoreValve U.S. High Risk Pivotal Trial. Empirical data regarding survival and quality of life over 2 years, and medical resource use and hospital costs through 12 months were used to project life expectancy, quality-adjusted life expectancy, and lifetime medical costs in order to estimate the incremental cost-effectiveness of TAVR versus SAVR from a U.S.ResultsRelative to SAVR, TAVR reduced initial length of stay an average of 4.4 days, decreased the need for rehabilitation services at discharge, and resulted in superior 1-month quality of life. Index admission and projected lifetime costs were higher with TAVR than with SAVR (differences $11,260 and $17,849 per patient, respectively), whereas TAVR was projected to provide a lifetime gain of 0.32 quality-adjusted life-years ([QALY]; 0.41 LY) with 3% discounting. Lifetime incremental cost-effectiveness ratios were $55,090 per QALY gained and $43,114 per LY gained. Sensitivity analyses indicated that a reduction in the initial cost of TAVR by ∼$1,650 would lead to an incremental cost-effectiveness ratio <$50,000/QALY gained.ConclusionsIn a high-risk clinical trial population, TAVR with a self-expanding prosthesis provided meaningful clinical benefits compared with SAVR, with incremental costs considered acceptable by current U.S.StandardsWith expected modest reductions in the cost of index TAVR admissions, the value of TAVR compared with SAVR in this patient population would become high. (Safety and Efficacy Study of the Medtronic CoreValve System in the Treatment of Symptomatic Severe Aortic Stenosis in High Risk and Very High Risk Subjects Who Need Aortic Valve Replacement [Medtronic CoreValve U.S. Pivotal Trial]; NCT01240902).